A gang of youths attacked a charity collecting procession - hitting Father Christmas with a hurled rock.

King Coel's Kittens, which collects funds for the town's needy, yesterday cancelled last night's (Tuesday's) collection amid safety fears.

Their Christmas tree collection was stopped after 30 minutes when it was set upon by rowdy children on St John's estate, Colchester.

And Jackie Bowis, chairman of King Coel's Kittens, warned all nine collection nights - which raise about £300 a time - might now be cancelled.

Mrs Bowis said: "The float and collectors were surrounded by between 20 and 30 youngsters who went out of their way to cause trouble.

"They vandalised the float, threw bricks, glass and eggs at the collectors and the procession was stopped when Father Christmas, sitting on the back of the float was hit by a rock.

"The collectors were verbally abused, charged at by youngsters on bicycles, kicked, punched and spat at."

For more than 20 years, the group has organised Christmas collection around the town raising thousands of pounds for local groups.

"Local groups support the collections and the annual event brings joy to a number of people across the town.

"But after last night's disaster they are now questioning the future of the event."

She said collectors had experienced isolated incidents in the past adding: "The sad thing is the King Coel's Kittens have been raising funds for a number of projects in the St John's area. Obviously this is the the thanks they get."

No one was seriously injured during the procession, she said.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.